Fatorda MLA and Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai raised serious concerns in the Goa Legislative Assembly about growing transnational criminal activity in the state. He warned that Goa risks becoming a base for global racketeering, illegal religious conversions, hawala transactions, and extremist networks backed by foreign funding.
Sardesai highlighted recent high-profile cases, including the arrest of a woman named Ayesha under Uttar Pradesh’s Mission Asmita. He noted that the breakthrough came from outside Goa, raising questions about local intelligence capabilities. He also referenced the earlier arrest of Changur Baba, alias Jamaluddin, founder of the Bharat Pratikarth Seva Sangh. Jamaluddin allegedly raised over ₹106 crore from the Middle East to fund conversion activities and had settled in Goa before being booked under the PMLA.
The MLA questioned how such individuals operated freely in Goa and warned of systemic lapses. He claimed some had even received official hospitality before being exposed, suggesting possible political or bureaucratic complicity.
Rejecting the relevance of the “Love Jihad” narrative in Goa, Sardesai called for data-backed discussions and urged authorities to treat such developments as criminal issues, not religious ones. He emphasized that unchecked activities could erode Goa’s secular identity and undermine the Uniform Civil Code.
Criticizing weak financial oversight, Sardesai highlighted illicit bank transactions, unregistered entities, and suspicious foreign remittances linked to conversions. He pointed out that Enforcement Directorate raids had revealed corruption among government officials.
Sardesai demanded Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant take accountability and strengthen coordination with national agencies to counter these threats. In response, CM Sawant assured full cooperation with external probes, particularly with the UP Police, and pledged action to protect Goa from transnational criminal infiltration.